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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Benjamin Mtuli" <benjaminmtuli@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <mtuliben@live.co.za>
Date: Mon, 30 May 2011 07:34:24 +0200
Subject: Re: Inquiry

Hello
 
I am Mr. Benjamin Mtuli, a member of Independent Committee of Eminent Persons (ICEP), South Africa. ICEP is charged with the responsibility of finding bank accounts in South Africa belonging to Non-South African indigenes, which have remained dormant since South African apartheid was resolved in 1994.
 
It may interest you to know that in July of 1997, the South African Reserve Bank published a list of dormant accounts originally opened by non- South African citizens.
 
These accounts had been dormant since the end of apartheid (27 April 1994). Most belonged to apartheid victims. The continuing efforts of the Independent Committee of Eminent Persons (ICEP) have since resulted in the discovery of additional dormant accounts - 14,000 in December 1999. The published lists contain all types of dormant accounts, including interest-bearing savings accounts, securities accounts, safe deposit boxes, custody accounts, and non-interest-bearing transaction accounts. Numbered accounts are also included. Interest is paid on accounts that were interest bearing when established.
 
The Claims Resolution Tribunal (CRT) handles processing of all claims on accounts due to non-South African citizens. I discovered a dormant account of Isidor Adler with a credit balance of US$ 45,000,000 (Forty Five Million United State dollars) plus accumulated interest. The beneficiary was murdered during the apartheid era, leaving no WILL and no possible records for trace of heirs.
 
The Claims Resolution Tribunal has been mandated to report all unclaimed funds for permanent closure of accounts and transfer of existing credit balance into the treasury of South African government as provided by the law for management of assets of deceased beneficiaries who died interstate (living no wills).
 
Being a top executive at ICEP, I have all secret details and necessary contacts for claim of the funds without any hitch. The funds will be banked in a Very Reliable Bank here in South African, safe haven for funds and we can share the funds and use in investment of our choice. Due to the sensitive nature of my job, I need a foreigner to HELP claim the funds.
 
All that is required is for you to provide me with your details for processing of the necessary legal and administrative claim documents for transfer of the funds in your name. Kindly provide me with your full name, address, and telephone/fax. I will ensure all procedures to see that the fund is transferred to a secure, numbered account in your name here South African, of which you will be capable of accessing the funds and transferring gradually to your country and other banks of our choice in the world. My share will be 75% and your share 25% percent of the total amount. THERE IS NO RISK INVOLVED.
 
The Claims Resolution Tribunal has put funds in Escrow awaiting submission of valid claims for necessary disbursement. I find myself privileged to have this information and this may be a great opportunity for a lifetime success without risks. Due to security reasons, reply to my private email: mtuliben@gmail.com or contact my direct line +27 74 306 6398
 
The reason why I choose South Africa is that they have one of the best Internet Account Facilities, whereby you can access the account online and make transfers online to your account in your country.
 
This transaction is not a Childs Play and should not be treated as such, if you are capable then reply, if not delete from your Inbox.
 
Best Regards,
 
Benjamin Mtuli
Member (ICEP)

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